Found Frozen

Chapter 20

20

The next morning I went to the room Daniel has been staying in and began to clean up. Usually I just toss his clothes on the floor when changing him into his pajamas. His servant comes to clean him up, and the floor most of the time though. His servant, John did much, but only when I let him in or needed his help. He didn’t really care for me, though. He just grumbled about how I was taking over his life’s work.

Shaking my head at the thought, I opened up the curtains and opened the windows letting in a light sea breeze. Daniel was still sleeping, quietly. I dusted off the dressers with an old sock I found in one of his drawers and picked up stray clothing the servant had passed by and put it in a hamper in the closet. I called a maid up to take the now full hamper.

“Your majesty, you don’t have to-”

“I want to.” I said for the millionth time.

She curtly nodded and walked away.

I turned to see Daniel still laying down, but with his eyes open and his blank stare back on. Like he was dead.

“Hey,” I said softly, brushing some of his hair out of his eyes. He had also grown somewhat scruffy from not shaving.

He blinked at me, making me smile sadly.

“Your mother would like to see you today. I thought we could go see her.” I whispered.

He didn’t respond. Sighing I called John and left so he could take care of him. I then walked him to the sitting room.

She talked to him for a while. I sat there and listened. I like to think that he listened too.  She was very happy to see him somewhere other than the bedroom, but only because I walked him out.

Eventually I took him back upstairs and put him back into bed.

I sat in the chair I had next to him, watching him intently. He was like a ghost, just not dead yet.

I took his thin hand and played with it. He didn’t smile at me, like he always did when I touched his fingers softly. I brushed a little bit of hair out of his face, smoothing it out.

“I remember, when you came to my locker and asked me out,” I began. “I was so mean...so harsh. In a matter of minutes I couldn’t stop thinking about you. You made me happy, in a place I was always upset. You changed me Daniel, for the better. Even if you’re not Justin anymore, you were still the guy I fell in love with.

“But this...this isn’t you Daniel. I know you’re in pain. I just...I can’t understand why it can’t be something I can help you with. I don’t know why this is something that you can’t talk to someone about. I don’t know why you’re like this. This can’t go on forever Daniel. Your mother needs you...I need you. Talk to me, squeeze my hand, anything. Please…” I cried, holding his hand tight.

He just stared at the wall, swallowing, not moving. Tears spilled from my eyes and I sobbed and cried into his lap.

That night I fell asleep crying next to him. I dreamed his arms were around me, and he was telling me it would be all right. He was clean and happy and healthy. his eyes were bright like they used to be. I loved that about him. I loved everything about him.

I woke up disoriented and puffy eyed. I quietly got out of the bed and covered him back up, and kissed his forehead. I then went to our room and got myself ready for another day. I put on a long sleeve and a midi skirt. I put on some white heels and pulled my hair into a ponytail. I fixed the smeared makeup on my face and went to see the queen.

She greeted me happily.

“Has anyone gone to change the flowers at the grave?” she asked.

“No, your majesty.”